Gig Harbor tree lighting: Cold lights, warm hearts

The city’s 40-foot tree lights up the night and will be lit each night through the holidays, bringing a festive addition to the many other holiday decorations all around the harbor waterfront.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

From left, Henry Davis, 6, along with his brothers Charlie, 4, and Jackson, 8, look over the cookie selections being offered by volunteer Sandy Anderson during the annual tree lighting at Skansie Brothers Park on Saturday.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Outgoing Gig Harbor Mayor Chuck Hunter addresses the crowd at one of his last official functions during the tree lighting on Saturday.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

With temperatures quickly dropping into the teens with the setting of the sun, Olivia Stojack, 3, of Port Orchard, looks as though she rather be home and warm rather than in the arms of her sister, Rebecca, while performing as part of the Spectrum children’s choir. The two are children of the choir’s artistic director, Stephanie Charbonneau.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

A welcome sight to many at the chilly tree lighting is volunteers Leiami Sherwin and Owen Scott, volunteers with the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance, who were busy handing out cups of hot cider and cocoa to any and all takers.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Santa Claus made his arrival atop a fire engine provided by Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, much to the delight of the shivering crowd gathered at Skansie Brothers Park to witness the lighting of the city’s tree.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

KGHP volunteer DJ Alistair Fordyce, a.k.a. A-Dog, co-hosts K & A’s Harborchat Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Fordyce was on hand to help conduct a live broadcast from the tree lighting and here interviews Gig Harbor resident Ethan Lee, 6, who was on hand with his parents, Joe and Marla, to take in the spectacle.